Writer-director Hailey Gates, was welcomed to the stage following a screening with a rousing welcome. She introduced the film enthusiastically and told the crowd that after seeing the film we would really think she was weird. I think clever and witty are better adjectives.
Opening with the quote War is God's way of teaching Americans geography," it is shocking to be front row center for American troops stalking through an Iraqi village on high alert weapons drawn and in search of armed Iraqis. Gunfire, bombs, blood and flying limbs and then, it's over and you realize you’ve been watching a war game exercise in a fake village called The Box in a California desert where troops are sent to train before deployment.
From there on out, the dynamics between cast members, military officials and the soldiers-in- training playing the villagers make for some hilarious interactions. There are so many creative and comical elements in the sets and dialogue. This is a pretty cool directorial debut for Gates.
